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Top 3 Princess Half Marathon Weekend Packing Tips

2/15/2019

It is almost time for 2019 Princess Half Marathon Weekend! As if packing for a vacation isn't stressful enough, packing for a race-cation is even more overwhelming at times. As I start to pack for Princess Half Marathon Weekend, I wanted to share a few tips that may make your packing a little less stressful.

1. Always, always, always carry your race gear with you on the plane!
DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT put your race clothes, shoes, and other gear in your checked bag. Sure, you may have never had a bag get lost by the airline, but do you really want the first time to have your shoes in it when traveling for a race? I didn't think so. If you are traveling for a longer period of time that will require a checked bag, I recommend checking the stuff that can easily be replaced like clothes for the vacation part of your trip and putting the critical items (shoes, fuel, clothes, gear, etc) in a carry-on bag. Just make sure you put those gels in your 3-1-1 liquids bag!

2. Make sure you have your shoes.
Yes, it sounds silly, but I have had friends go on a run the night before leaving for their trip and left their shoes at home or in a gym locker. My worst nightmare for sure. I was introduced to the Klitch Footwear Clip a few years ago and I love it. The Klitch is is shoe holder that can clip onto the outside of your gym/running bag, suitcase, etc. It is perfect for traveling and I always use mine on racecations.

3. Organize!
If running multiple races, I recommended laying out and packing your race stuff by race. I layout my shirts, shorts, skirts, socks, etc for each race and then use drawstring bags to travel with. This makes hotel life a lot easier as everything I need for each race is already together, so I just grab my bag and I am ready to rock!

I hope that these packing tips help make for a more magical time for you at the Princess Half Marathon weekend. Remember, you have trained hard to get here, enjoy each moment and step of the weekend. Whether you are running the 5K, Fairy Tale Challenge, or anything in between, you have a lot to celebrate!

Final Countdown to Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2019: #TBT Princess Half Marathon 2013-2018

2/14/2019

It was just yesterday that we were panicking trying to get registered for Princess Half Marathon weekend 2019 - where did time go!?!? Next week thousands of princesses (and a few smart and lucky princes) will be pounding the pavement on a 13.1 mile journey through Walt Disney World.

This will be my 7th Princess Half Marathon (and 6th Fairy Tale Challenge, formally known as Glass Slipper Challenge), and I am as excited as ever for the weekend. Momma K and I have spent many cold and windy mornings training for this weekend. It is to a point where it seems like Princess weekend and WDW are the only things that we talk about right now. To celebrate the final few days before Princess Half Marathon weekend 2019 kicks off, here is a look back at a few highlights of the past five years:

In 2013 I spent a lot of time waiting in character lines for pictures - like 15+ minutes for the pirates, and another 10-15 minutes for the princes (the pictures were so worth it). While I went solo in 2013, it was still an absolutely magical and amazing weekend!

In 2014, I paced Momma K to completing her first half marathon which was one of the most magical memories of my life! You only get one first half marathon, and I think she would agree with me by saying that it was one of the most memorable days of her life.

The 2015 Princess Half Marathon weekend was Frozen themed. In keeping with the theme we dressed as Anna and Elsa with our sidekick Olaf along with us. This was a huge one for Momma K as she PRed by about 10 minutes that morning.

2016 was definitely a half marathon of highs and lows. We were rocking our way through the course when Momma K found the only pothole on Disney property in front of Grand Floridian at mile 6.5. Don't worry though, a gashed up knee didn't damper our fun. Sure we walked the last 6 miles, but we were having a blast! That is what runDisney is really about!

2017 was one of the best years EVER! We didn't have any unexpected drama (like Momma K's tumble of 2016) and we just spent 13.1 glorious miles laughing and enjoying time with friends old and new. It was everything that I could possibly ever want for my Princess Half Marathon experience and that is all I could ask for.

Last year, I ended up running into my sweet friend, Kara, at a character photo around mile 4 and we had a BLAST running the last 9ish miles together. It was a little on the warmer side last year, so slowing down and having fun is just what we needed.

Now it is time to get your final costume preparations done, the last training runs logged, and get ready to head to Walt Disney World! Get your tiaras ready friends, it is time to go to DISNEY!

Princess Half Marathon Expo Tips

2/13/2019

A little more than a week from now, thousands of runners will be flocking to the Wide World of Sports Complex for the start of the 2019 Princess Half Marathon weekend expo!

It is no secret that I love going to race expos. Race expos can tend to be a little overwhelming for runners, especially if it is your first large race. Remember, race weeks should be fun so here are a few tips to help make your expo experience a little more magical.

1. If race merchandise is important to you - go the first day if possible.
As with any expo, merchandise is limited and runDisney is no exception. Thousands of runners eager to purchase official race merchandise and other limited edition merchandise. In addition to runners, there are unfortunately people looking to purchase limited edition merchandise to resell at a high premium.

Lines tend to start forming early for entry to the expo, so remember that the early bird gets the worm. If you cannot get to the expo first thing, don't worry, there will still be merchandise left however sizes and styles will become limited as time goes on. If you have a friend going to the expo earlier than you, you can perhaps have them pick up the things you just have to have. I highly recommend going to the race merchandise area as soon as possible though if you wish to get any - remember your bib will not go anywhere.

2. Have your waiver and ID ready.
Make sure you print up your waiver before you leave for the weekend. While you can print up a copy of your waiver at the expo, doing so can waste precious expo time. Your ID is vital in packet pick-up - a lot of major races require a photo ID in order to pick up your bib. (NOTE: runDisney does NOT allow participants to pick up a bib on someone's behalf)

3. Pinpoint exhibitors that you want to visit.
runDisney posts the official event guide on the race website a few weeks before race weekend. While this year's vendor list is not listed in the event guide just yet, I always make sure to scope out the vendor list. I first go through and mark the vendors that I am already familiar with and want to check out their booth for new product and/or expo specials. Make sure you keep an eye on your favorite vendors' social media outlets for potential expo specials and/or giveaways.

Next, I do some research on other vendors that I am not familiar with and mark them on the expo map if they have a product I might be interested in (remember, NO NEW GEAR/FUEL ON RACE DAY THOUGH!). While I still walk through the entire expo, having a plan of attack helps me make sure that I see all the vendors I want.

4. Set a budget.
Yes, you might be on vacation, but that is not an excuse to overspend. While it is tempting to buy all the merchandise, it can get expensive...QUICKLY! Look at merchandise previews (if available) and see what items you would use the most. My typical splurge is a race jacket - I wear them all the time in the winter and usually have one at my desk for when the office is cool.

5. Bring snacks and drinks.
You will likely spend a little bit of time browsing the expo, so make sure you bring a light snack and your water bottle. You are here to run a race, so you want to make sure you are staying hydrated even while at the expo.

6. Use discounts.
There are different ways to save a few dollars at the expo, you just need to know how. In the official merchandise area, you can save on your purchase a few ways. If you are a AP, DVC, or Disney Visa member you can save on your official merchandise purchase (ask your cashier for specific details).

Did you know that you can pre-purchase Disney gift cards at some wholesale discount stores (such as Costco) at a discount? Disney gift cards can be used as payment at the official merchandise area at the expo as well as throughout the Walt Disney World resort on food, merchandise, etc. While these discounts might not be huge, every bit helps.

7. Take advantage of freebies.
There will be a lot of freebies at the expo - promotional items as well as photo opportunities. Make sure to take advantage of the free photos for sure! These are a great commemorative keepsake to remember your race weekend with.

8. HAVE FUN & BE KIND!
We are all here to have fun. Don't let the little things ruin your time. Yes, it is upsetting if you don't get the shirt you want because your size is sold out already, the line to check out is long, or it is crowded. We all want to continue our vacation adventures by going to the parks, hanging out the pool with our families, etc....be patient.

BE KIND, y'all! Be sweet to the cast members, vendors, and volunteers. They are here to make you have a great experience. Say thank you and smile - a true princess once said "have courage and be kind..."

Remember, have a MAGICAL time!

Question of the Day: What are you most looking forward to at the Princess Half Marathon expo?

Packing List Ideas for Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2019

2/12/2019

I don't know if it is because I am a total pre-planner or the excitement of heading to Walt Disney World (or both), but it is time for me to start packing for Princess 1/2 Marathon weekend. I have a few busy few days leading up to leaving for Florida, so I am starting to layout and organize some of my stuff for Disney. I am a list person for sure, especially when packing. Here is a list of some of the most important things to pack for your race-cation.

Expo:
ID
Waiver(s)
Cash/Credit card/Giftcards
Race information (expo times, expo layout, etc)

Race Day:
Shoes (multiple pairs for multiple races)
Shirt
Shorts
Sports bra/undergarments
Socks
Throw away clothes or garbage bag (great for cold/wet weather)
Hair ties
Sparkly Soul Headbands
Handheld bottle/Hydration belt
Bib holder/Race Belt
iPod (and charger)
Garmin/watch (and charger)
RoadID
Pre-race food (banana, power bar, etc)
Fuel - Gu, chews, etc
Vaseline/Body Glide
KT Tape (make sure to precut your strips or have scissors)
Sunglasses
Hat/Visor
Sunscreen
Chapstick
Medication/Inhaler

Post Race:
Park Tickets
Recovery shoes/sandals
Recovery sleeves/socks
Foam Roller/The Stick
Travel first aid kit
Blister Pads
Gallon bags for icepacks
Plastic bag for dirty race clothes (or use gear check bag)
Biofreeze
Tylenol
Plastic Grocery Bag to Put Sweaty Clothes In

General Items:
Shirts
Jacket
Shorts
Jeans
Undergarments
Socks
Comfortable shoes
Bathing Suit (if doing pool time)
Pajamas
Cell phone charger
Portable cellphone charger
Medications
Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razor, etc)

Yes, race-cation packing can be stressful. Just make your list and check it twice. Remember that a lot of what you might need can be purchased at your destination in a worst case scenario, but certain things cannot be easily replaced and those are your absolute MUST NOT FORGETS!

Walt Disney World 1/2 Marathon - January 12, 2019

2/11/2019

After a day of travel, expo'ing, and a quick trip over to Magic Kingdom for dinner, an early bedtime awaited me since I was waking up at 2:15am for the Walt Disney World Half Marathon! While I have ran this course six times now at the Princess Half Marathon, I have never ran the Walt Disney World Half Marathon and I was so excited to run it tomorrow!

Typically I don't sleep well before a big race (especially at Disney), but for some reason I had a decent sleep. Don't get me wrong, 2:15am is still a stupid and ridiculous time to wake up. Seriously, runners are pretty dumb - we wake up at horrific hours to go run silly distances....and we pay to do it! Honestly though, I love it and wouldn't trade it for the world (even a few extra hours of sleep).

Jen and I were on the first bus from Pop Century over to EPCOT and arrived just shortly after 3am.

Since we got there early, security was a breeze and we made our way to Race Retreat to relax and eat breakfast before heading to the corrals. Yes, Race Retreat is a little pricey (around $125), but I absolutely love the comfort and little bit of VIP treatment from it. Jen and I call Race Retreat "insurance on your race morning" simply because you are in a controlled environment pre-race (and post-race). After the weather the past few years for Marathon Weekend (rain, cold, etc), knowing I have somewhere warm and dry is nice.

There are other great perks to Race Retreat as well including private porto-potties (and TONS of them), breakfast, post-race brunch, private gear check, and more. Oh yea, and characters too! Mary Poppin, Bert, and their penguin friend were on hand to greet us pre-race. It was practically perfect

If you have ever ran the Walt Disney World Marathon or Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World, you know about the crazy walk out to corrals. If you haven't ran one of these races, the walk to the corrals is about a mile. Along the way you encounter the shuffles of runners on a narrow road wrapped in heat sheets, people sharing nervous and excited feelings, and of course the critical final porto-potty stop before the start line.

Each corral/wave went off a few minutes apart with cheers, fireworks and fanfare. Larger corrals had multiple waves to them, but the first few corrals (A-C, I think) had just one wave go off. Finally around 5:45 corral E (wave 1) was sent on our way.

The first mile went by quickly. Even though it was just a dark road (well lit though), the excitement and energy was great. Yes, a lot of runners were around but everyone seemed to have their polite princess behavior on. There was an awesome high school band greeting us along with some super energetic volunteers at the first water station.

Before we knew it we were approaching one of my favorite parts of this course - running through the Magic Kingdom toll plaza! Between the magical glow of the lights and the sound of "caution runners, speed bump ahead" coming from the volunteers, I get giddy each and every time.

Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) here we come! After about 4 miles of course support only from fellow runners and volunteers, it was good to see some signs and hear cowbells ringing. Oh! ...and the beat of these drums! I wouldn't dare complain about my legs being tired because these folks are beating on drums for 20,000+ runners to go by for probably close to two hours if I had to guess.

We continued our journey towards the Magic KIngdom we passed the Contemporary Resort which included some great cheers and the smell of breakfast coming from Chef Mickey's. Ok, so I don't know if that is really where it was coming from, but every year at that point in time I dream of the breakfast awaiting me after I cross the finish line.

Magic Kingdom here we come! Up until last year, the course ran through a backstage gate near Space Mountain that dumps into Main Street, but a slight course change due to construction meant that we got to run through the front gate and onto Main Street!

I have a rule for entering Main Street - NO WALKING. Heck, you can walk down Main Street any time, it is time to "break the rules" and RUN! Plus you have hundreds of people cheering for you - show them what you got! Don't forget to look good for the pictures too. ;-)

With a right turn as you approached the hub, you enter into the futuristic world of Tomorrowland. A quick tour leads you past Stitch's Great Escape, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Tomorrowland Speedway, Mad Tea Party, and more. The line for Sully and Mike at the Laugh Floor was insane so I skipped it and headed onto Fantasyland where I met up with Goofy and Sebastian.

Next stop: Cinderella Castle! Evil Stepmother and the Stepsisters were guarding that castle trying to stake claim on it, but the runners were not going to let that happen.

There is always anxiety about how crowded it will be going through the castle and if you will get to "run" through it or "shuffle" through a bottleneck. When Kara and I made it through, the crowd was fairly light. Not empty, but not a total bottleneck.

Once you exit the castle, take a quick swing to the left and get your official castle photo done. It takes a few minutes (if that), but it is so worth it! I have to give runDisney credit here, they really streamlined the castle photo line better than in the past to make it go by faster and photographers are set up in a way to have each runner be the only one in the shot.

Photo Credit: Disney PhotoPass

Photo Credit: Disney PhotoPass

As I started to make our way out of Magic Kingdom, I had to stop for a quick potty stop at real bathrooms at the Adventureland/Frontierland corridor. These are seriously the BEST bathrooms because there are so many stalls and no wait!

You exit Magic Kingdom through a backstage exit where the Festival of Fantasy floats and Disney royalty thanks you for visiting. You then hit a water station and 10K mark as you exit the backstage area.

Now it is time for the part of the course that I "dread." From around mile 6.5 until 9ish, you run mostly on a single lane of road which makes for a pretty congested course. As long as people utilize race etiquette, everyone can still have a good experience.

Now it is time for my yearly public service announcement...every year I see at least one runner that insists that they are going to run on the other side of the road. People, the cones dividing the lanes is diving the running lane from the open traffic lane! I cringe every single time I see this! Please be safe and don't run in lanes that are open to traffic!

A favorite tradition of mine over the past 6 years of runDisney memories has been stopping at the Grand Floridian at mile 7 for one of my favorite "character" stops - Richard, the greeter and most amazing cast member from Grand Floridan. Richard always had a sweaty hug for me which I looked forward to at every runDisney race. Sadly, Richard passed away in 2018 and this was my first runDinsey half marathon since 2014 that I did not get to see that amazing smile at mile 7. I would be lying if I said I didn't get a little emotional but remembering Richard made my heart fuller.

Thankfully, I saw a recognizable smile in line for Donald and Daisy just past the Grand Floridian, my girl Kristin. She is such a joy to be around and I don't get to see her often, so chatting with her in line for our photos was a fun surprise.

Photo Credit: Disney PhotoPass

Photo Credit: Disney PhotoPass

While this stretch in the back half of the course can get a little dull because it is a long stretch of road, runDisney spaces out different character stops and photo ops along the way to add a little Disney flare even though you aren't in the parks.

At mile 10, you go up that "infamous overpass" and head straight on to EPCOT. Is it really THAT bad? If you only run on flat, it is probably tough getting over the overpass. However, being from Atlanta, we run hills...lots of them, so it isn't that big of a deal (just the slant is a little weird if you are running on the inside).

One of my amazing running besties, Julia, was chEARing and waiting at mile 12 for me for hugs and another amazing running bestie, Chris, waited with her to run the last mile with me. We have ran so many races together over the year but we have never ran at Disney together.

EPCOT, we are here! Weeeeeeeeee! After the past few miles on the roads, it was great to be back in the parks for some fun. While you are at mile 12+ and tired, the energy in EPCOT is what you need to finish strong.

We came into EPCOT a little different than previously at Princess (and apparently for WDW Marathon Weekend as well). We looped through a backstage area and came in by Journey Into the Imagination with Figment and by The Land before heading towards Spaceship Earth and the finish (no heading towards the lagoon). I actually preferred this final stretch over the one I have ran in the past as it wasn't as tight and no weird u-turn at the lagoon.

Photo Credit: Disney PhotoPass

Photo Credit: Disney PhotoPass

Most importantly, the Instagram famous "Bubblegum Wall" greets you just before the finish line.

From unsuspecting park visitors cheering you on, to the high fives from cast members, seeing Spaceship Earth, and of course the singing of that beautiful gospel choir just before the mile 13 marker.

Even though the finish line was 50 yards away, I couldn't resist the opportunity to snag a pic with my pal Pluto.

My 111th half marathon and part one of the Goofy Challenge is done. Y'all don't me wrong, I totally love Princess Half Marathon Weekend. It was my first runDisney race weekend and holds many special memories in my heart. However, the vibe at the WDW 1/2 Marathon is soooo much more chill. I will put it like this, some princesses like to get their tiaras a little twisted and such which get some folks a little more edgy. This was definitely a much more enjoyable race and less crowded feeling on the course.

Photo Credit: Disney PhotoPass

After collecting my medal, snapping some pics and getting post-race refreshments, I headed back to Race Retreat to enjoy a celebratory breakfast before heading back to the resort to relax and get ready for the full marathon tomorrow.

My first Walt Disney World Half Marathon was everything that I hoped for. It was a great experience and even though I took it easy to save energy for tomorrow, I ran what I believe is my fastest half marathon Walt Disney World. Whoop!

Now to eat a yummy pizza dinner at Via Napoli and get to bed early as I have another date at 2:15am for my fourth marathon and completing my first Goofy Challenge!

#TBT Enchanted 10K 2014-2018

2/7/2019

Princess Half Marathon weekend 2019 is now just two weeks away! (***insert scream here***). I am starting my final preparations to head to Walt Disney World - costumes, wrapping up training runs, and starting to get things together to pack.

The Enchanted 10K was a new addition to Princess weekend in 2014 which also added the Glass Slipper Challenge (10K on Saturday and 1/2 Marathon on Sunday)...newly renamed the Fairy Tale Challenge. The course for the Enchanted 10K mirrors the course for the WDW 10K during Marathon weekend. The race starts in the EPCOT parking lot and the first few miles are on the roads before you enter into EPCOT around mile 3.5. After running through World Showcase for a mile or so, runners head for a loop around Boardwalk. Running around Boardwalk is one of my favorite parts of the course because a lot of spectators are out cheering for runners as well as the occasional WDW visitor wondering what in the world is going on as they are heading to the bakery for some coffee. Finally, runners enter back into EPCOT's Future World before finishing in the EPCOT parking lot.

As we get ready for the final days and preparations for race weekend, let's take a look back at my past four years at the Enchanted 10K.

The Enchanted 10K was our first runDisney race as a family, so it holds a special place in our hearts to say the least. Here is a look back at our 2014 Enchanted 10K moments as 2 Belles and our "Princess Protector"

For the 2015 Enchanted 10K we went 'Under the Sea' as Ariel, Flounder, and our 'crabby' sidekick Sebastian. We had an absolute blast making our way through EPCOT and crossing the finish line as a family.

Last year Snow White spent 6.2 trying to outrun a sweet old lady that was insisting on sharing a snack with her. Lucky for Snow White, she kept her Prince near by, just in case!

Last year we went a non-princess route as Tigger and Piglet made their way through the 6.2 mile course and of course stopped in England to say hello to our friend Pooh and the rest of the gang! This just proves that you don't have to dress as a princess to be a part of the costuming fun during Princess Half Marathon weekend. ;-)

Last year I took my love of Moana and Pua to the 10K course. This was one of my favorite 10K costumes that I have worn over the years. Of course, the stuffed Pua made it even more fun. This was the first year that I hit almost every single character stop along the 10K course and I hope to get to do so again in two weeks.

We are hard at work on wrapping up our training and of course our COSTUMES! Who will we be running as in 2019? Only time will tell! ;-)

Question of the Day: Do you have any special races (runDisney or not) that your family runs together?

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Expo 2019

2/5/2019

After a short flight from Atlanta, dropping my bag at the hotel, and grabbing a quick bite at the Pop Century food court, I was on my way to the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend expo! When I arrived the crowds were pretty low (both on the bus over and in the entrance to Wide World of Sports.

My first stop? Official merchandise. The new arena at Wide World of Sports really provide ample space for the official merchandise. There was plenty of room for an abundance of merchandise to be out and very spacious aisles to allow shoppers to browse without pushing.

I walked into the official merchandise area and every seemed very well stocked and well organized. I went on Friday around noon which was day three of the expo and typically things are depleted at this point.

Since my friend (and race weekend roomie), Jen, was running Dopey she was there on Wednesday morning and sent me pictures of a lot of the merchandise then. After seeing merchandise fly off of the shelves at most of my previous runDisney race weekends, I was surprised that the shelves were still so stocked (and not just with repeats of the same merchandise). I couldn't figure out if it was the weekend wasn't sold out (only the 5K sold out I believe), the designed of the merchandise, pricing, an over-buy of merchandise, or what.

One of my favorite new products that they had were these adorable medal holders. The problem is that they were just for the 5K. What? runDisney missed out on an opportunity here. It would have been nice to see this available for other distances or even the challenges.

Let's talk, runDisney. Yes, I get that the Dopey Challenge in the headliner challenge of the weekend. However, you still have runners in the Goofy Challenge. There were seriously just three shirt options (a short sleeve and two long sleeve) and pins and magnets for the Goofy Challenge - that is it. No jackets or anything. I was beyond bummed that here I am running my first Goofy Challenge and I had no options to shop really. Instead, I had to purchase a marathon jacket but I really wanted something to commemorate the accomplishment. There were seriously more 5K merchandise to choose from than Goofy Challenge. Disappointing is an understatement.

While I was less than pleased with runDisney at this point in terms of merchandise, I do have to say that they really stepped up their game with the "generic" runDisney merchandise. I honestly found the non-race weekend merchandise to be way cuter and appealing than the official merchandise. I found a few things that caught my eye, but with limited space in my suitcase to go home, I just rolled the dice and hope that they will be available for Princess Half Marathon weekend in a few weeks.

If you are in hopes of trying to purchase any expo specials or limited merchandise, do that first. I also like to get my bib after going to the official merchandise because it is less time that I have to stress out about losing it somewhere in the expo while trying products or shopping.

With the set up of runDisney expos currently, bibs are located in the HP Field House and the race shirts (and vendors) and in the Visa Athletic Center. So I popped over to grab my bib first so I could just get my race shirts while in the expo hall.

I was crazy shocked at how empty the packet pickup area was, but I had to remind myself that it was still very early in the morning and a lot of the crowd have been there to get their 5K, 10K, or Dopey bibs over the past two days. It was super organized and there was no line at all. It serious took more time to walk into the building than it took to get my bib.

Next up Ie headed to the Visa Athletic Center to collect my race shirts and check out the other vendors on hand. This is definitely where the party was at. This is where everyone was at!

Believe it or not, my under-whelmness continued into the vendor part of the expo. Maybe I was tired from traveling, maybe I wasn't in a shopping mood, or I might just be tired of seeing a lot of the same expo stuff over and over.

There were two booths that I did make sure to stop by and visit - my favorites Sparkly Soul and Sparkle Athletic. Not only did I get to see my sweet friends, I checked out what new products they had for the weekend. I picked up a new skirt from Sparkle Athletic and checked out the new sparkle shoes from Sparkly Soul.

The shoes were supper cute, but I didn't have room in my bag to take home new shoes, so I opted for just a pair of clip on bows for my shoes. I am hoping to bring home a pair at Princess 1/2 Marathon weekend in a few weeks though!

It was definitely a quick expo trip for sure, but this was a different type of runDisney trip. It was time to go get some food in our bellies, rest our feet, and make a quick trip to Magic Kingdom for a quick bite to eat before getting ready to head to bed. Part 1 of the Goofy Challenge (the 1/2 marathon) starts in the morning and comes with a 2:15am wake up.

Ugly Pajama Run 5K - January 5, 2019

2/4/2019

I am always looking for new races to run (or at least "new to me") and I love supporting my local races. After kicking off the new year, I wanted to try to get another race in before my marathon weekend. I headed over to one of my favorite sites to look for local races, RunGeorgia.com, and saw the Ugly Pajama Run 5K. I had never heard of this race, but it was put on by a local race organizer, Five Star NTP, and I enjoy running their races. I wanted to run a 5K and I get to run in pajamas?!?!? Count me in.

The race was held at Newtown Park in Alpharetta which meant ample parking and indoor bathrooms. We arrived to the park around 7am for an 8am start. It was probably a little early for a race of this size, but since we have never been to Newtown Park, we weren't sure of the parking situation.

We got checked in and had plenty of time to use the bathroom and get lined up. We were a few minutes late starting as the officers on course were still getting into position. I honestly didn't mind though because I was enjoying scoping out all the great pajamas!

Credit: Five Star NTP

The course was all within the running path of Newtown Park which meant no traffic on course. This also meant that it was a three loop course as it is a fairly small park with a running loop of about one mile. I didn't know that this was going to be a multi-loop course and I wasn't exactly thrilled when I found out, but it is what it is.

While the course was fairly isolated at times (especially on the third loop), it felt good to just run free. With the cold weather and wind, I set myself a slower goal for the day. The cold air does a number on my lungs and I didn't want to do anything dumb right now with a half marathon and marathon ahead of me next weekend.

After my first mile I made myself slow down slightly as I went out a little faster than my goal. Miles 2 and 3 were more on track with what I promised myself I would try to run. I was pleasantly surprised when I finished and realized that I ended up about spot on with my goal for the day.

Credit: Five Star NTP

It was a great morning for a 5K and the race was good. My only gripe was that it was the multiple loops. It wasn't that I hated the three loops, because it was a great course. The issue I had was that some runners decided to just do two loops which was obvious when you watched runners coming into the finish. I find that this is common at races that have you run multiple loops which is why I am not a fan of them. Otherwise, this was a great race and one that I would definitely consider running again.

I always preach about how nice it is to sometimes run smaller, local races rather than the large ones and this race was no different. Yes, those large races with all the fancy awards, snacks, etc are great, but sometimes the small ones in your own community are just as great. Different, but still great.

With a lot of half marathons and traveling in the upcoming months, it is time to switch gears and start getting ready for some goal-setting this spring!

Resolution Run - January 1, 2019

2/1/2019

A few years ago, I started my New Year's Day tradition of taking part in a Resolution Run. What better way to start the new year than with a run. While the race that I have ran has changed ownership, location, and distances over the past few years, it is always a great time!

For the past few years, Atlanta Track Club held their Resolution Run as a 4 Miler in Brookhaven but last year it moved to Piedmont Park and changed back to a 5K. Y'all know that I love Atlanta Track Club events, so of course I would be at the Resolution Run 5K to kick off 2019!

The nice part about the Resolution Run is that Atlanta Track Club has a lovely 10:00am start time for the events (and 10:30 for the 5K). That means even if you stayed up to watch the ball drop or even had a few beverages, you can still get to that first start line of 2019 while still getting some ZZZ's! Atlanta Track Club is absolutely wonderful about promoting an active lifestyle for all members of the family. While the 5K was the most popular event of the morning, there was also a very popular 1-Mile and 50m Dash.

Thank you to the awesome volunteers and Atlanta Track Club staff who got everyone trough packet pickup quickly. There was also a great DJ getting everyone pumped and ready to go along with tons and tons of port-o-potties (always a great sight!).

Resolution Run is a lot like most of Atlanta Track Club events with several self-seeded corrals. I chose my appropriate corral and waited for my wave to start. I waited just a few short minutes in the corral before the gun went off at 10:30.

After running my last 3 races at Piedmont Park (or at least part of it), I have learned the terrain like the back of hand basically. While all the courses have been different, the share a lot of the same portions of the park.

Things started a little congested, but thinned out pretty quickly. There was an uphill portion right towards the start of the course which caused a good amount of runners to slow down a good bit right away, but within about 1/2 mile in things were pretty clear. There are a few decent sized hills along the way with a good amount of rolling hills and "flat" portions the remainder of the way.

One of my favorite parts of the course is running Active Oval which is basically a light dirt and gravel loop in the park. Thanks to an unexpected monsoon mid-race, the dirt and gravel turned into muck which made for an interesting final stretch. Regardless of getting soaked, everyone was embracing it and enjoying the morning (even the volunteers).

It was awesome seeing so many people starting off 2019 on 'right foot' with the Resolution Run. There were even some junior runners out there logging their miles - I hope to see some of them rockin' at other events this year and especially at the Peachtree Road Race on July 4th!

After I finished and took a few pictures and waited for mom to finish. While waiting they started announcing some of the 1-Mile award winners...oh my goodness there were some true speedies in full force today! A HUGE congrats to each and every runner out there today for braving the rain and starting the year off strong!

It was an absolutely wonderful morning and a great way to kickoff 2019. After leaving the race we stopped and got some brunch before going on the rest of the day. Thank you to the awesome Atlanta Track Club team and of course all of the wonderful volunteers and emergency personnel for braving the cold and making this morning possible.

Atlanta Track Club hosts some of the absolute best races in the Atlanta area each year. The 2019 Atlanta Track Club Event Calendar has been released and there are already a number of races that I am excited to run in early 2019. Be sure to check out these races and get registered!

February 2 - Hearts & Soles 5K - Decatur (FREE FOR MEMBERS!)
February 9 - Atlanta Hawks Fast Break 5K - Atlanta
March 2 - Road to Gold - Atlanta
March 17 - Publix Atlanta Marathon & Half Marathon - Atlanta

There are so many benefits to being a member of Atlanta Track Club including race discounts, discounted training programs, and more. Perhaps one of the most sought after perks is guaranteed entry to the 50th running of the Peachtree Road Race 10K on July 4th.

Remember, you must me a member as of February 1, 2019 to be eligible for member registration in March. To become a member (or renew your membership), go to the Atlanta Track Club website for more information.

#TBT: Memories of Princess 5K 2013-2018

1/31/2019

It is hard to believe that Princess Half Marathon weekend 2019 is quickly approaching. It seems like just yesterday we were frantically registering for our races (if you have ever ran a runDisney race you know what I am talking about). Now, all of our final preparations are coming together - a few more training runs, finishing up costumes, and printing up our waivers. Only 20 days until I arrive at Walt Disney World - not that I am counting or anything.

Just about three weeks from tomorrow Momma K and I are running the Princess 5K. The 5Ks at runDisney events are a little different than your typical 5K - there are no results since it is un-timed and you receive super cute bling. We like to use the 5K as a shakeout run and a chance to get some great pictures with characters. The 5K will start and finish in the EPCOT parking lot and the course leads you through the different countries of EPCOT's World Showcase.

For the next few weeks, I will share post a different #TBT themed post with fun memories from each race at the Princess Half Marathon weekend (5K, 10K, and Half Marathon). Hopefully this will get you as excited as I am for race weekend!

In 2013, Momma K and I ran the Royal Family 5K as Tink which was our first costume race. This was also our very first runDisney race and was full of memories for sure.

In 2014, Momma K was running her first half marathon at Princess (along with the Enchanted 10K the day before), so I ran the 5K solo. While I missed having her by my side, the best part about runDisney races is that you are never "alone" and I still had an absolutely wonderful time. Snow White has always been a favorite princess of mine, so I decided to represent her for the Cinderella 5K.

In 2015, our family ran the Frozen 5K together. While I would have loved seeing Papa J dressed in a Olaf costume, it wasn't happening. Instead, we decided to go a little different than the Frozen/Princess theme and went as the Chimney Sweeps from Mary Poppins. After this, Papa J said we could dress him as whatever we wanted, just as long as he didn't have a prop. LOL!

In 2016 we once again took part in a family costume - this time with a Sleeping Beauty theme. As always, it was such a wonderful (early) morning full of magical memories for us.

In 2017 we went back to my all time favorite Disney movie for our costume inspiration, Beauty and the Beast. I chose this theme for us before the race weekend theme came out, but lucky for us, our costume selections were not Belle so we did not blend into the sea of Belles.

2018 was the year of the amazing #Team2Hour5K experience. What started off as Julia, Momma K, and myself for the Princess 5K grew and grew each mile. We kept picking up more friends along the way, taking ALL the character photos and having 3.1 miles of laughs. Before we knew it, we were approaching two hours for our 5K time and #Team2Hour5K was born. It was the most amazing 5K ever and one that I will cherish and remember! I mean, how can you not remember one of your best friends applying red lipstick to you at mile 2.5?

Papa J is opting out of the 3am wake up again this year, so it is just Momma K and I running this year. I cannot wait an see if our group grows again this year and if we can break that two hour record of ours!

I cannot wait to kick off Princess Half Marathon in less than 3 short weeks! What will our costumes be this year? Stay tuned!